Hard Work Region Finals: Scotty B’s Sunday Notebook
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The PrepHoops Circuit concluded on Sunday with the Hard Work Finals coming to an end. It was a great day of basketball in Minnesota. Here we dive into what we saw in Hard Work Region Finals: Scotty B’s Sunday Notebook!…
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Continue ReadingThe PrepHoops Circuit concluded on Sunday with the Hard Work Finals coming to an end. It was a great day of basketball in Minnesota. Here we dive into what we saw in Hard Work Region Finals: Scotty B’s Sunday Notebook!
ET21 Buckeyes 17U Finish Strong
The ET21 Buckeyes played one final game of the summer at Bloomington Jefferson at 8:00 AM. Sometimes when you don’t have a ton to play for and it is an early morning game the motivation might be a question. That was not the case as ET21 cruised to a 83-52 win over Wisconsin Academy. Riverside Brookfield small forward Paul Zilinskas showed once again why he should be under serious consideration at the D2 level. The skilled wing has size and can score from all three levels. Always been a plus shooter, but his game off the dribble on straight line drives has greatly improved along with his overall feel for the game. He had 16 points. Hinsdale South 2020 shooting guard Billy Durkin can flat stroke it from three! Plus shooter that plays with reckless abandon flying in from the perimeter for offensive rebounds. Plays hard and is an active defender. Went for 16 points. Alec Millender of St. Rita ran the point and got everyone involved. Crisp passer that scores with athleticism at the cup. Proviso East point guard Michael Osborne is a tough on ball defender that has improved as a shooter. Like what the inside duo of Sincere Callwood and Kayman Hopkins brought to the table with their energy on the glass.
The Work Foundation 16U Have Emerging Prospect
In its first season as a program The Work Foundation made a name for themselves. On Sunday morning they fell just short 69-65 to Wisconsin Crusaders. Hillcrest 2021 small forward Hamahrie Bowers continues to see his stock rise and will make a nice debut in the next class update. The angular small forward uses his length defensively getting in passing lanes for scores on a regular basis. Several times cut passing lanes for steals and buckets on the other end. In the half court he has a quick first step and maneuvers around the hoop to score. Finishes well with either hand. A lot of upside heading into the high school season. Jovan White is an undersized four man that hits the glass and plays bigger than his size.
Illinois Jaguars Run Ends in Quarterfinals
It was a great run for the Illinois Jaguars this spring and summer on the PrepHoops Circuit, but it came to an end in a loss to Team Factory. Their 16U squad won consistently and had several players put their names on the map. That starts with Lane Tech 2021 power forward Aaron McQueen. Tough four man that outworks his opponents getting on the glass for second chance points. Works well from 10 feet in with quick moves. He had 13 points. Hope 2020 guard Jamari McClendon can really score the basketball. Athletic wing that wins off the bounce and makes regular trips to the free throw line. He had 14 points.
All-In Williams Impresses in Quarterfinals Defeat
The lone Illinois 17U team in the quarterfinals was All-In Williams. They fell behind to the Minnesota Comets. Made a run in the second half behind their guard play to make it close even tying it up at one point. They ended up losing 70-61. St. Charles North point guard Christian Czerniak is a creative point guard that gets others involved with his passing and makes scoop shots in the paint. Fun player to watch. He had 10 points. Elliot Sieger from Whitney Young knocked down several big shots in the comeback finishing with 15 points. Brooks scoring point guard Isaiah Tolbert got buckets from three. He got really hot from deep in a short stretch en route to 20 points. Darnell Hanson provides an interior presence for AIA.
Team Factory 16U Impressive Throughout Day
I caught two full games of Team Factory’s 16U squad out of Nebraska and they are a fun group to watch! It all starts at the point with high-major target Chucky Hepburn. The compact lead guard is an electric passer that makes others around him better. Feel for the game in the half court finding shooters and cutters consistently. Also a quality shooter from the perimeter. One of the bigger stock risers from an out of state perspective for me was Greg Brown of Factory. The 6’5” small forward has broad shoulders and plays with a lot of strength. Attacks with force on straight line takes and will hit a three on occasion. Brett Bennett lit it up in the semis dropping 19 points going lights out from beyond the arc!
Young & Reckless 16U Makes it to Semis
The Young & Reckless Brim group lived up to their #5 seed throughout the tournament making it all the way to the semifinals of the 16U bracket. They lost to Team Factory 70-58. A couple of players for the Illinois squad stood out. Really liked what Darrion Jones from Bogan did all weekend. This isn’t his normal team, but he wasn’t tentative instead bursting through the defense for scores at the rim. Powerful bowling ball type guard that loves contact. Also showed he is a better shooter that we previously thought. He had 15 points in the loss. Hillcrest 2021 small forward Julius Rollins stepped up in the second half. New age combo forward that can check multiple spots on the floor. He runs the floor with a purpose, is quick to the offensive glass, and even hit a three. Scored 13 points. His versatility defensively will be coveted at the next level.
Jacob Jennisen Trending Up
Caught Minnesota Matrix big man Jacob Jennissen in the semis. The 7’0” 2020 center has a thin frame that he will definitely need to add more strength onto moving forward. Could be an awesome redshirt candidate at the high-major level or a sound commitment at the mid-major level. I was impressed with his mobility, quickness, and athletic pop around the hoop. Seals well and ran the floor very fluidly. He had 12 points.
Wisconsin Rap 17U Shows Depth in Semis
The Wisconsin squad advanced to the finals despite not getting the biggest game from their star 2021 Brandin Podziemski. He showed flashes with his skilled game and deep shot, but for the most part his teammates stepped up big. Gerald Gittens is a point guard that got to the rack with force! Compact guard that won off the dribble all game long for his 15 points. Shilo Bowles is a broad shouldered wing that plays above the rim and can score in a variety of ways recording 15 points.
Sleepers on Hoops4Health 17U
Hoops4Health had quite the team a few years back. This group has several prospects worth paying attention too as well. The first is St. Joseph’s 2020 shooting guard Brandon Malone. Usually a plus shooter the guard didn’t drill as many shots as he usually does, but he impacted the game in other ways. Quality distributor that worked well in ball screen situations. Hit a couple deep threes late. Marcus Becton is also from St. Joseph’s. He is an angular 6’4” wing with good length that plays in transition and is quick to the offensive glass. Jack Vasilopoulos from Northside College Prep is a point guard that is a fiery leader. Has a floater game and knack for making tough shots. Kevin Thursby from Northridge Prep as well has some projectability at 6’5”. Unsigned 2019 wing Khalid Griffin from Joliet Central is going to be a JUCO late gem for someone with the way he rebounds, defends across the board, and finishes with physicality.
All-In Trio Finish Out Weekend
It was a good weekend for All-In Figueroa as they picked up quite a few wins. One of the bigger stock risers from the last two months has been 6’5” Glenbrook South forward Dominic Martinelli. Crafty scorer that plays slow mo, but always seems to get buckets with his excellent body control around the hoop. Matinelli regularly makes trips to the charity stripe and has a nasty euro step. Stevenson 2020 power forward RJ Holmes is a bouncy four man that hits the glass and can be a defensive presence. The top prospect on this team is Evanston 2021 top 10 wing Jaylin Gibson. Mr. Versatility because he changes the game in so many ways. High level passer, defends all three perimeter spots, and is a major scoring threat as well. A sleeper 2021 is Warren two guard Alex Figueroa after the way he shot it from three throughout the weekend.